As an oft-quoted line in
The Big Lebowski explains, "The Dude abides."

He also draws a crowd.

About 300 fans gathered yesterday at Studio 35 in the Clintonville neighborhood for the third
annual "Dude-a-Thon," a celebration of the 1998 big-screen comedy.

Favorite bits of dialogue were repeated, White Russian cocktails (the Dude's favorite) were
served, and more than one reveler arrived dressed as the lazy and disheveled anti-hero played by
Jeff Bridges.

Not a bad turnout for a film released almost 13 years ago to mixed reviews and unspectacular
box-office returns (a total of $17.5million).

As a hit on video, however, it has a well-established status as a slacker-movie staple.

"My favorite character is the Dude," said Jennifer Manning, 26, of Columbus, who sat at the bar
inside the movie house while sipping on - what else?- a White Russian.

"He's so laid-back, so carefree. He just floats along. Nothing really works out for him, but it
doesn't faze him. I wish I could be a little more like that."

The plot of
The Big Lebowski, as conceived by filmmakers Ethan and Joel Coen (
Fargo,
True Grit), isn't easily explained. A riff on the novel
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, the R-rated movie involves a defiled rug (which "really
tied the room together"), a mistaken identity, a possible kidnapping and a group of avowed
nihilists.

The Dude, meanwhile, has a fondness for Creedence Clearwater Revival and the sport of
bowling.

What's to dislike? Not much, apparently, as $20 tickets for "Dude-a-Thon" were gone before
Christmas.

"We sold out in 15 days," said theater co-owner Eric Brembeck, who hadn't seen the movie until
he began planning the first event.

"I'm still a little surprised by the demand, but we've embraced it. It's really a party."

The all-afternoon festivities at Studio 35 included Wii bowling; a beer tasting; a costume
contest; and, finally, a showing of the film.

Each major character was loudly cheered upon being introduced - none more so than the inimitable
Dude, a Los Angeles resident and bathrobe enthusiast also known as Jeffrey Lebowski.

"I've seen the movie probably a half-dozen times," said Steve Hofmann, 37, of Columbus, who
dressed as the Dude in a shaggy wig, sunglasses and a naturally graying ("sadly," he said)
goatee.

"I think everybody would like to, even if not all the time, be able to take things as they come
and not worry about it too much. A life of sitting around and bowling doesn't sound too bad."

The "Dude-a-Thon" is hardly the first
Lebowski-themed event - nationwide or around the globe.

"Lebowski Fest," for example, took place for the first time nine years ago in Louisville, Ky.,
with subsequent gatherings in cities such as Chicago; New York; London; and Edinburgh,
Scotland.

The next one is set for February in Tampa, Fla.

Bridges even visited a "Lebowski Fest" in Los Angeles.

Fans in central Ohio, on the other hand, have had to settle for costumed representations of the
beloved characters.

Josh Clark, 35, of Columbus won the costume contest - and a $50 gift card to the theater - as
bellowing bowling buddy Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman.

To enhance his spot-on disguise, he grew a beard specifically for the occasion.

"That's how psychotic I am," Clark said with a laugh.

Steve Pipenger, 40, didn't arrive in costume, but he did travel from his home in New York with
friends for the third straight year.

He has seen the movie "probably 20 times."

"Every year, I come to Ohio to see family, friends and
Lebowski," said Pipenger, a lawyer and Dayton native.

The record for most viewings of
The Big Lebowski might go to Jenna McGuinness, who - after "a million times" - settled on
a slightly more realistic number.

"Easily 100," said McGuinness, 33, of Columbus, who named her dog "Walter" after the Goodman
character.

Such intense commitment probably wouldn't please the Dude, although he would no doubt abide
it.